"There's a strong sentiment that we go on the principles of shared sacrifice," Schneiderman told me yesterday outside the Senate chamber. I asked him about a similar bill from State Senator Jeff Klein that also includes tax rebates for those earning less than $250,000.

Schneiderman said "philosophically, Jeff and I are coming from exactly the same place."

Savino said that she has signed onto both bills, because the proposals will "find revenues to deal with some of the difficult cuts that have been presented."

Party spokesman Dan Levitan pointed out that a poll released earlier this week showed 59 percent of those surveyed support raising taxes on those making more than $250,000, and 72 percent oppose cutting education and health care in place of raising income taxes.